Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check

Instead of receiving a paper check, some people will receive an EIP card instead to access their stimulus payment. The government is sending some people Economic Impact Payment Cards if they qualified for a stimulus payment and the IRS couldn’t direct deposit the payment. Your Economic Impact Card will come in a plain envelope from 'Money Network Cardholder Services” along with important information about the card, instructions for activation, fees, and a note from the U.S. Treasury.

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Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check

The card itself will have the words “VISA” and “DEBIT” on the front and the issuing bank, “MetaBank, N.A.”, on the back and should look like this:

VISA DEBIT MetaBank, N.A Money Money Network

How do I activate my card?

Before you can access your Economic Impact Payment, you will first need to activate your card, either online or by phone. You will receive only one card for your household and the primary cardholder must activate the card.

If you are the primary cardholder:

  • Go to EIPCard.com or call 1-800-240-8100 (TTY: 1-800-241-9100)
  • Provide your name, address, and social security number to validate your identity
  • Create a 4-digit PIN so you can get cash at the ATM. If you forget your PIN, you can call customer service to get a new one
  • Check the balance to know how much you received

Once you activate your card, you can start using your card immediately. There is no monthly or inactivity fee and your money does not expire. You do not need to pay this money back and do not have to pay taxes on this money.

How do I check my balance without paying a fee?

There are multiple ways you can check your balance conveniently 24/7 for free, including through push notification, text, or email:

  • Online: visit EIPCard.com (account registration required)
  • By Phone: call 1-800-240-8100 (TTY: 1.800.241.9100) and use the automated voice response system
  • Mobile App: download the Money Network® Mobile App (account registration required)

Tip: If you typically check your card balance at the ATM, try to use one of the free ways above to avoid paying a balance inquiry fee.

How do I use my card to get cash without paying a fee?

There are several ways to get cash from your card without paying a fee.

  • Use one of the In-Network AllPoint brand ATMs to withdraw cash. Use the ATM locator at EIPCard.com or Money Network® Mobile App to locate one near you. Limits may apply to the amount of cash you are able to withdraw at ATMs.
  • Get cash-back at participating merchants, like grocery and convenience stores. If the merchant allows cash-back during a purchase, select “Debit” on the keypad, enter your 4-digit PIN, select “Yes” to get cash-back, and then enter the amount of cash you would like. Check the merchant’s policies on amount limits.
  • Request a Money Network Check and cash it at select participating check cashing locations. Go to EIPCard.com to find the nearest participating check cashing locations. To avoid a fee, cash only Money Network Checks and only at participating check cashing locations. Limits may apply.

Tip: If you already have a bank or credit union account that you are comfortable using to access cash for free, you can also transfer money from your card to this personal account and then withdraw cash in the same way you normally would once it is available.

How do I transfer money from my card to a personal account without paying a fee?

To transfer your money to a personal account without a fee, you will need to log into your account at EIPCard.com to initiate a transfer.

  • To transfer to a personal bank or credit union account, you will need to provide your routing and account number for your personal account at EIPcard.com .
  • To transfer to an existing personal prepaid card, first check if your personal prepaid card accepts transfers by logging into your account or calling your card provider. If it does, provide the routing and account number for your personal prepaid card at EIPCard.com .

Tip: In many cases, peer-to-peer (P2P) apps—like Venmo or Zelle—will accept your Economic Impact Payment Card as a source of funding. Check with the P2P provider for specific instructions on if you can do this for free.

I would like to pay a bill (such as rent) that doesn’t allow payment with debit cards. How can I do this without paying a fee?

You can pay rent, bills, or other payments from your account using a Money Network Check without paying a fee.

To do this, you need to:

  • Request a Money Network Check by calling customer service at 1-800-240-8100
  • Check your balance to make sure you have enough funds to cover your payment
  • When you receive the check, fill out the date, dollar amount, and name of who you are paying
  • Activate your check by calling customer service at 1-800-240-8100 and following the instructions to enter the check number, digit, and amount, and record the issuer number and transaction number provided by the automated phone system
  • Once you have successfully activated your check, the payment will be immediately deducted from your account balance and you can send your payment for your rent or other bill

Tip: If you occasionally pay a bill with a money order, consider using a Money Network Check to pay your bill instead to avoid paying a money order fee.

I am not familiar with prepaid debit cards. What is important to know about using this card?

The Economic Impact Payment Card is a VISA prepaid debit card. The government has loaded your Economic Impact Payment onto the card for you. You do not need to pay this money back and you will not be taxed on this money. Once activated, your money is safe on this card and is eligible for FDIC insurance. Be sure to immediately report if your card is lost or stolen.

If you have had a checking account debit card or credit card before, this card may be a little different. First, this card is not linked to any bank or credit union account and will not have any impact on your credit score or help you build your credit. You cannot overdraft or spend more than what has been loaded on the card. If you don’t have enough money to cover a purchase, the transaction may be declined or partially authorized. If this happens, you may be asked to use another form of payment to pay the full or remaining amount if you want to complete the transaction.

You can get cash, request a check, or make a purchase anywhere VISA debit cards are accepted. Each time you use your card, the amount will be deducted from your balance until you use all your funds. You will not be able to load your own money on this card and your money will not expire. If you do not use all your money before the expiration date printed on the card, you can call customer service to request a refund check for the remaining balance.

Tip: If you use this card to pay for gas, give your card to the attendant to pre-pay for gas rather than paying at the pump to avoid a pre-authorization. A pre-authorization puts a temporarily hold on your money that could be greater than the transaction amount and may take up to 10 business days to be released back to you. Paying the attendant to pre-pay for gas can help you avoid placing a hold on your money so that you have access to your money if you need it.

What do I do if my card is misplaced, lost, or stolen?

If you think you have misplaced your card, go to EIPCard.com and lock your card to prevent unauthorized transactions or ATM withdrawals while you look for it.

If your card is permanently lost or stolen, call customer service at 1.800.240.8100 (TTY: 1.800.241.9100) to report your lost or stolen card immediately. Your card will be deactivated so nobody can use it. There is a $7.50 fee to order a new replacement card ($17.00 if you need it expedited).

Where can I find the fees for optional services?

While most transactions are free, some fees may apply.

Check your cardholder agreement and other important information material that came in the envelope with your card or at EIPCard.com . This will include a full schedule of fees and services as well as more details about your card.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 13)

To protect your privacy, please remove sensitive or identifiable information from your comments, questions, or reviews. We will use your IP address to display your approximate location to other users when you make a post. That location is not enough to find you.

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March 17, 2021 at 2:23 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Arapahoe, Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States

The IRS said this is how my payment will come I never received the last or current how do I connect with someone?

Delete

March 17, 2021 at 10:50 AM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Dallas, Texas, United States

How can I see if my stimulus check is on a rip card

Delete

March 16, 2021 at 1:46 AM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Burlington, Mt Laurel, New Jersey, United States

How to activate from abroad

Delete

July 27, 2020 at 12:59 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

I have the same issue: my card never arrived, and the instructions As to lost/missing cards in the EIP letter I recently received require a card number, which, Of course, I don’t have. Couldn’t you get back to all f us with a solution? Thanks...

Delete

July 20, 2020 at 3:01 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Donaldson, Arkansas, United States

Name: Jack L. Tyler, Jr; phone 501-282-8363 (jtyler431@gmail.com)

I first received a notice that I was due to receive a EIPCard back in early May. Per your website it was mailed on 22 May. Around the 10th of July I received a STD A letter from METABANK giving me instructions about activating my card and a 1-800 number to call if I had any issues.

The card has never arrived. By going to your 1-800 help line it first requires you to input your debit card number - which I have never received. So therefore I don't have the number. My not putting in a number your help line disconnects you and tells you have to have the number.

No surprise, but your EIPCard website does the exact same thing - requires you to enter the card number before you can get any help and disconnects you when nothing is entered

First, someone fix the system; then please check on my payment ... THanks Jack

Delete

June 19, 2020 at 3:16 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Fort George G Meade, Maryland, United States

I am having a hard time activating my Visa Debit

Stimulus Check. I have answered all the questions and I still cannot seem to get it activated. Please call me on 410-693-1411

Delete

June 18, 2020 at 10:36 AM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Huntington Station, New York, United States

We destroyed our EIP card. Tried calling # 800 240 8100 as directed on your Meta Bank. and It only asks the card number and will not let me have customer service. How do we get a replacement card?

Delete

June 16, 2020 at 2:06 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: United States

what do I do if I got a letter stating I'd recieve a card and it never came?

Delete

June 3, 2020 at 9:51 AM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Starke, Florida, United States

I made numerous calls to the customer service number provided with MetaBank ATM Card regarding my stimulus money but was never connected with a customer service representative. The system only allowed for the activation of the card. I have some important concerns that can only be answered by a person. I am very displease with the service.

Delete

May 30, 2020 at 7:04 PM by
Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check
an anonymous user from: Arlington, Virginia, United States

Not expecting to receive the stimulus funds via a credit card which I received via the mail, I ground up the VISA card as not wanted. We had expected to receive such funds to our bank accounts that the IRS has on record. I called customer service to report this mistake and got a machine that asked me for the numbers on the card that I have already ground up, so I was not able to talk to a human being.

How do I get a replacement card, If that is the only way to get my needed funds?

Delete

Write Your Comment, Question, Answer, or Review

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

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Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

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Think before you click

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Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

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Secure Your Finances

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Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

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Metabank Stimulus Payments via EIP Card Instead of Paper Check